Tyler holds a B.S. in music production from the University of Southern California and an M.A. in broadcast from San Francisco State University. A 99th-percentile scorer on the GRE, he has worked with students in a variety of environments from traditional classrooms to television sets, recording studios, and bicycle workshops.

Tyler’s first foray into teaching came in grad school, where he instructed students how to properly navigate TV studios without dropping eight-hundred pounds of lighting gear on their fellow classmates’ heads. He transitioned into teaching standardized tests in 2014 (though for some twisted reason, he’s always enjoyed them). In his opinion, standardized tests are like games—complete with rules that can be learned and exploited. Though these tests can often be stressful, he coaches his students to translate this anxiety into awareness & vigilance, much as
top athletes and stage entertainers can convert pressure into performance.

Speaking of, Tyler has his own storied experience as a performer. For a few years, he made “a living” (i.e. did not starve to death) as the drummer in a touring math rock band. Sadly, this genre has less to do with actual math than the name implies. Still, the touring routine allowed Tyler to master the art of falling asleep on a variety of flat or nearly-flat objects, including couches, floors, and the 18-inch gap between amps in the back of the tour van. He has since retired from being cool, and now spends his days designing indie games, riding bikes, and sleeping in real beds.

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING

“Tyler is personable and always willing to spend time reviewing the problem, no matter how ‘silly’ you may think your thinking is. He takes an approach that is laid back, yet effective. I never felt I was being judged and always felt that he was trying to help me understand.”

“He was awesome. Really impressed by his style—because he is so friendly and engaging, you’d think the teaching would suffer, but he truly does it all. Couldn’t be more pleased with the way he presented, taught, and workshopped information.”

“His endeavor to help us make the most of the class has led me to admire him the most. He is the best teacher that I have ever had for my entire life. Not only as a GRE instructor but also as a human being, he is the best ever!”